(Emirates News Agency (WAM) (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DUBAI, 11th May, 2014 (WAM) -- The Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, has endorsed the award of the contract of Phase II of the Dubai Water Canal Project, comprising the construction of bridges across the Canal on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads, at a cost of AED 384 million.

The phase constitutes an important step in the construction of the project which is intended to provide a link between the Dubai Creek and the Arabian Gulf via a water canal passing across the Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa Park, Jumeirah 2 and up to the Arabian Gulf near the southern part of the Jumeirah Creek Park.

"Work on Phase II of the project, which has been awarded to the China State Corporation, will be completed in the final quarter of 2016 in order to coincide with the completion of Phase I of the project, covering the construction of a bridge on the Sheikh Zayed Road passing over the course of the Canal, allowing free navigation around the clock," announced Al Tayer.

"The contract of Phase II encompasses the construction of bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads above the Dubai Water Canal, enabling the passage of 8.5 meters-high yachts, and the construction of a free and integrated multi-tier interchange providing a smooth traffic link between Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa and Al Athar Roads after the project completion, to replace the existing light signals. It also includes the construction of a bridges leading to the proposed peninsula to the south of Jumeirah Park. The contract also covers utility diversion works beneath the Canal, in addition to the construction of spare conduits for utility lines underneath the Canal to meet the projected future requirements," explained Al Tayer.